Finishing breakfast, Twilight stood up, clearing the table in five seconds flat with her magic, including picking up the remains of the cupcake I dropped onto the floor. She walked closer to me, noticing something. She wasn't looking at me directly, she was... oddly focusing on my flank?

'Hazel,' Twilight said curiously, 'You don't have a cutie mark...'

Ah, right, my flank. As far as I know, all adult ponies have cutie marks, and most foals do as well. Actually, I'm pretty sure all ponies in the show have some kind of cutie mark, with the exception of infants. Currently its season 4 that I'm in, that means the only fillies who don't have a cutie mark are Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, at least that's what I can remember. Oh, and Pipsqueak too... And not to mention some background ponies.

Twilight added, 'I've never seen an adult pony, let alone an alicorn, without a cutie mark.'

If anything, it seemed quite obvious to me why I didn't have a cutie mark. After all, I never really sorted out my life well at all. Schooling came and go, and friends also came and go. I never really had a hobby, and all I did was sit around, do nothing, go on the internet, play games, and that was really it.

I remarked, 'I should have one at this stage, maybe someday I'll have one.'

'Well, it comes eventually, I got mine when I was doing the entrance test to Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. A huge burst of magic flourished within me after Rainbow Dash created a sonic rainboom for the first time.'

What was that episode? Cutie Mark Chronicles or something was it? Now that I think about it, maybe I need a bit of help with getting my very own cutie mark someday. After all, the Cutie Mark Crusaders got their cutie marks eventually. Either that, or I'm like Gummy, the poor gator, flank forever blank, flowing down the river of life to an unknowable destiny...

My destiny. What is it? Do I just exist to live until I die, or is there something special? Am I just here to do nothing? As far as I can tell, the name I now bear checks out. Distant Haze. What is my destiny? Is it just a distant haze? That's got me thinking, did that name just seem to coincide with my current situation? Likely. If it wasn't a coincidence, then it would be probable I would never get a cutie mark, or I would only get one in the distant future.

Regardless of what it was, for now, it seems that my flank is blank. I do hope I can find my kismet hopefully sometime soon. I can't just live the same life I always did. I'm a pony, and I'm in Equestria. I need to make the fullest of this life. Still, I am my former self, it's just that my physical incarnation is wildly different. Maybe destinies carry over between worlds? I can't say for sure, but I hope that doesn't happen.

In any case, I don't think being a blank flank is much of an issue. Being an alicorn is a bigger issue than not having identified my talent or destiny. I still have my hoodie sitting on the floor upstairs, and that seems to hide my wings quite well. Twilight certainly didn't notice until I took it off...

Lost in my thoughts, a familiar voice filled the air, 'I'm back,' it said.

That voice though... It had to Spike. His footsteps frightened me ever so slightly.

I turned to face the staircase corridor on my left, wings unfolded slightly from the initial fright. Since I was in the corner of the room, a bookshelf was covering Spike's line of sight so he couldn't see me.

'Ah, Spike, you're home!' Twilight said, 'I thought you were going to be out with Rarity searching for gems for the entire day.'

'Yeah, Rarity and I were quite lucky today, we found double the gems than she anticipated this morning.' Spike replied with a slightly embarrassed tone.

'I have a guest here in the library,' Twilight added.

Hearing that, Spike inched forward bit further, walking into the library to see me sitting opposite of Twilight.

'She's an alicorn?' Spike asked, looking at Twilight, slightly confused upon first sight.

'Yeah.' Twilight answered, pointing at me.

'Hi there,' I said, gesturing with my hoof. 'You're name is Spike, right?'

My wings were still open to some degree, some of the feathers touching the ground. I tried to smile, but it felt a bit awkward, especially as I already knew Spike. It felt like a reintroduction, not an introduction. Still, seeing Spike in real life... I know Spike is cute and all, but I didn't expect him to be that cute... Though, he's a bit bigger than I remember in the show. He's definitely taller and slightly more muscular than in the show, especially around the joints. Regardless, he looks far better in person than in Gen 5.

'What's your name?' Spike asked, scratching his head. I presume he's in a little bit of shock.

'Distant Haze,' I replied, keeping up the smiling facade. 'Just call me Hazel.'

'Yep, your eyes aren't deceiving you Spike, We have another alicorn in town,' Twilight added, seemingly excited.

'I thought it was just Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and you...' Spike commented.

'Apparently not anymore. She came from another world, or at least that's what she said. Sadly, she lost her memory, so I've taken her in for the time being so she's going to be living with us for a while.' Twilight replied, this time being slightly enthusiastic.

Hearing that made a wave relaxation caress my body. Twilight, the kindness you have... It warms my heart. And your trust in me... I know I have been dishonest, but still... Twilight, you've grown a lot since you moved to Ponyville, and you really do deserve those wings.

If anything, I would've expected her to hate me, especially what happened initially, but no. She... befriended me. It seemed like she realised that I wasn't a threat, or arrived with aggression in mind. Is this... what friendship is all about?

'How did she get her wings?' Spike asked Twilight.

'I don't know... Hazel, do you remember?'

'No, not really,' I answered, 'Didn't I tell you Twilight? I don't really remember anything before today.'

Hmm, I'm regaining a bit of confidence now... I can keep this amnesia facade up, I hope. As long as I don't just reveal too much information, I should be ok. Still, I do fear somebody may figure it out, but as long as I don't reveal they're cartoon characters, it should be all fine. However, this is not a cartoon that I'm in, this is reality, or at least, seems like reality. There is still the possibility this is all just a dream, but it seemed all too consistent to be one.

Usually, a dream would just come and go, switching environments, or entities appearing and disappearing. But this is different. I've yet to have any of those occurrences, and the experience of being in this pony body is all too real. I don't think the classic pinch test would do anything to verify this as a dream. Still, the thought of being in Equestria as a pony is outlandish to say the least. In any case, it's just not possible. Magic is not real, but for all I can say, magic is real. Heck, I can even perform magic, albeit very simple magic. What if this really was just a dream?

No, that's not what matters... What about the real me, in the real world? If my existence in Equestria is in fact, real, what is the real me doing? My consciousness now lies in the body of this alicorn mare, not the human body that it once inhabited. Is the real me simply on autopilot, separate from my consciousness, or has its existence been wiped from the face of the earth?

It also seemed odd to me that nothing but my hoodie was transported with me. No pants, no phone, no nothing, just the hoodie and the Cheeto dust on it from last night.

Though, if anything, why did I get transported to Equestria? Why am I an alicorn of anything?

'Hazel?'

'Hazel...'

'Wha..?' I mumbled, seemingly looking toward the floor, mouth slightly drooling from the lack of response earlier.

I shook my head, ridding myself of any thoughts that remained. It seemed as being a pony finally unlocked a deeper form of cognition all of a sudden, especially as I reflect on this situation. Still, it seemed like I shouldn't particularly worry about it, especially since what has happened... well, has happened.

'Are you ok there?' Twilight asked with a slightly worried tone. 'You've zoned out for a minute or two.'

'H... Have I?'

'Yeah,' Spike added.

'Are you feeling alright though?' Twilight asked, this time as she walked close up to me. 'Do you want a glass of water, or maybe a bit of outside air?'

'I'll have that glass of water,' I responded, my head still a bit foggy from that thought train earlier.

'Spike,' she called.

He dashed over to the small sink, filling the glass full, but not to the brim, walking back carefully as to not spill any water. He held the water in front of me, expecting me to levitate it out of his hand. Sigh, once again, I have to use magic, this time on something that has a risk of spillage.

'Spike, can you put it on the table?'

'Sure thing.' he replied.

Looking at the glass of water... How are ponies supposed to grab those things? If anything, it's just a normal glass, nothing special that would let an earth pony or pegasus grab it. To be fair though, a pegasus can just grab anything with their wings, but what about the earth pony?

Alas, I should stop thinking about all this. I need to evict these thoughts from my mind and just experience the moment. I levitated the glass of water, this time somewhat effortlessly. Still, I had to physically see the glass of water, and I also had to actively think of its trajectory, but I didn't have to focus on anything. It felt more natural than ever, though coordination still needs some work.

I took a big gulp of water, the glass held up with nothing but magic. A cold, refreshing gulp it definitely was, washing out my thoughts and keeping me in the moment, and not to forget, rinsing out some of the residual sweetness from the cupcakes that was still lurking in my mouth. No wonder Discord wanted that small glass of water...

A subtle chime resonated across the room, it was faint but distinct. 'I'll be tending to the library downstairs, there's somepony there and I haven't yet organised those books!' Twilight exclaimed to me, 'Spike, come along. And Hazel, just stay up here, I don't think anypony else seeing an alicorn out of the blue is a good idea.

'Alright, whatever you say.'

Twilight trotted off down the stairs, Spike following her closely behind. I don't remember the library having a door chime... I've never actually heard it in the show, but it does seem logical to have one. I do think this world is canon, though... since I am here now, that is not the case anymore. I would be directly affecting the story of this show simply due to my existence.

In some sense, it felt like I was the omniscient narrator, but also, it wasn't like that. I know everything that proceeded this moment, but not anything more than that. I do not know exactly what any character is doing at any one point, nor am I able to foreshadow anything that may arise in the future, since although I know everything that will happen that is canon to the show, but since I now exist in the story, perhaps alterations may happen. After all, Starlight's seemingly minor action of stopping Rainbow Dash's first sonic rainboom did make Equestria into a war-stricken dystopia...

What is my role in this world? Am I simply an observer, or am I supposed to play a role in this world? I am influencing the characters in this show, and in turn, altering the story and in turn, changing the future. Is this my purpose in this world No... I refuse to believe that... What if I'm just in this world without a concrete reason?

More importantly, am I supposed to make my own story come to fruition here in Equestria, or am I supposed to play along with what already exists? Nothing seemed to be fully clear. It felt like I somehow lost my purpose, not knowing what my role was in this world, and even the real world by extension.

After all, I am here in Equestria, and I am a pony. A new life has been given to me, a second chance to live life to the fullest. I may as well experience life as a pony to its fullest, and I should rid myself of these thoughts of existentialism and my purpose here.

I tried to stand up, initially trying to stand on two legs, but the lack of balance forced me back on four legs. Sigh, being a pony sure is hard at first. I thought I somewhat got used to having hooves, and four legs. I know I will get used to it eventually, it's just a matter of when. Stretching a bit to loosen up the muscles a bit, I swayed my neck from left to right slightly to hopefully get a bit more used to having it be bent all the time while standing. Although it felt natural at an instinctive level, it was an odd sensation. Alas, the sight of my blank flank struck my eye once again.

The time isn't now, but eventually, I will have a cutie mark. I know it.

Author's Note

In reality, I just forgot about the cutie mark when I was initially drawing the cover...

I found it quite interesting, so I kept it that way